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No. 752,326. y'P'.mmufn man, 1904. Y 0.3mm.'

WATER METER. y AIPLIUATION FILED GCT. 13! 1902.

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Patented February 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO BRAUN, OF COLOGNE, GERMANY.

Ywlan-ER-wu-:TE-R.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 752,326, dated February 16, 1904. Application led October 13, 1902. Serial No. 127,099. (No model-l T0 a/ZZ'wwm, it may concern:

Be it known that I, Or'ro BRAUN, manufacturer, asubject of the German Emperor, residing at Oologne-on-the-Rhine, Germany, and whose post-oiiice address is 57 Pfalzerstrasse, Cologne, Germany, have invented certainnew and useful Water-Meters, of which the following is a specilication.

The present invention relates to turbine water-meters, and has for its object to render them suitable for pressure and volumes of Water varying within wide limits.

The invention consists in a special shape or construction of the turbine or revolving body, also in a special construction ofthe automatic regulating device and certain combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and specified by the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an axial section of a water-meter embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section along line m n of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section along line y of Fig. l. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 show details of the regulating device.

The turbine W is situated in the central cavity of armetallic body or container K, the bottom of which is perforated with a circular row of guide-channels g, placedso that the inlet and outlet of each channel are situated at the same distance from the axis of the turbine. The aggregate sectional area of the guidechannel is about fifty per cent. greater than the sectional area of the water-inlet F and of the outlet F2. Each of the guide-channels g intersects the circular edge formed between the bottom and the slantin g side of the central cavity of the container K in order that the turning effort of the Water admitted through the channels may reach up to the widest part of the wheel W.

Into the conical or tapered circumference of the turbine-wheel Wr are cut a row of channels la, which constitute the working channels of the turbine and are of such a size and number thatthe aggregate sectional area of the said' in cross-section, its radial depth gradually increasing from the top to the bottom of the wheel. In other words, the partitions between the channels are pointed toward the bottom, so as not to unnecessarily obstruct the jets of water flowing into the turbine.

. On the revolving body or turbine W are mounted one or more annular segments, of

Ielastic material, preferably two segmentsf,

which the meter is to be used, a pair of arms al or similar stopping device is mounted on the axle A of the turbine and adjustable on the same by hand, so that the-said arm may b e placed at various angles in order to vary the free length, and consequently the amplitude of oscillation of the wings, Figs. 1, 2, and 4. Above the annular segments and resting on a ledge of the container K is mounted and rendered vertically adjustable, by means of a screw-thread, a top ring J, the inner edge of which is flush with the inner edge of thel annular segments and covers the s/arne. Consequently as the ilow of water through the turbine increases the elastic wings will be bent inward more or less from their position of rest. The top ring J allows suiicient room for the free ends or wings of the segments to turn outward.

The turbine or revolving body W and the segments f are made of vulcanite in order to combine great durability in the water with the desired elasticity. rlhe turbine W is fixed on the spindle A by means of a shoulder and a screw-nut, and the spindle is supported by a step-bearing formed by a screw passing through the bottom of the container K and projecting with its rounded extremity into the spindle A. The upper end of the spindle A is guided in the bottom of the casing D, whichV IOO contains the usual counting or registering mechanism.

For keeping the turbine in the proper position against the upward pressure of the water a ring fr is fixed on the turbine-shaft A at a suitable distance below the casing D, and a pair of bent leaf-springs z', fixed at one end to the bottom of the said casing, rest with their free ends upon the upper face of the said ring, as indicated by Figs. l and 6, which latter is a horizontal section through the turbine-shaft above the springs c'.

The meter works as follows: The water flows from the inlet-pipe F to the bottom of the casing, thence through the guide-channels g, and'impinges against the walls of the turbine channels or grooves L at an obtuse angle. After having passed through the turbine the water flows over the segments fto the central opening of the top ring J, and thence to the discharge-pipe F2, Fig. l. As the water presses on the segments f it bends the free ends of the same inward-that is to say, to-

ward the axis of the turbine-more or less, according to the pressure of the water. In sliding tangentially off the free ends of the longer wing of each segment the water tends to turn the said wing in the opposite direction,.and as the segments are fixed to the turbine this reaction or tangential pressure on the wings reduces the speed of the turbine. The greater the pressure of the water the greater is the radial inward deiiection of the wings and the greater the resistance which they oppose to the motion of the turbine. The free length of the wings f, and consequently the maximum deflection of the same, may be regulated by the position of the stopping device d.

rIhe internal resistance, and consequently the loss of pressure produced by this meter, is less than in other turbine-meters, first, because the aggregate sectional area of the guide-chanv nels is considerably larger than that of the water-inlet F or outlet F2; secondly, because the aggregate sectional area of the turbine-channels at the narrowest part is again larger than that of the guide-channels; thirdly, because the aggregate circumference of the guide channels corresponds with the opening of the top ring J, and, fourthly, because the inner circumference of the segments has the same diameter as the opening of the top ring J. Moreover, as the internal passages are larger than the area of the inlet F and outlet F2 the accuracy of the measurement will not be materially disturbed by the deposit of sand in the meter. The large diameter of the circle in which the rovv of guide-'channels is situated, together with the inclined position of the grooves of the turbine, insure a favorable turning effect of the water on the turbine, and consequently great sensitiveness of the meter for small quantities of water.

l. In a turbine water-meter, having a conical turbine and a turbine-casing having a water inlet and anoutlet and a row of guide-channels, the combination of a turbine-casing having in the bottom arow of guide-channels of an aggregate sectional area substantially greater than the area of the said water inlet or outlet, a conical turbine having in its circumference inclined grooves of an aggregate sectional area substantially greater than that of the guidechannels, and partitions gradually reduced in width from the top to the bottom, and a device for automatically regulating the speed of the turbine according to the pressure of the water, substantially as described.

2. In a turbine water-meter, the combination of a turbine having inclined circumferential grooves, with a turbine-casing having lin the bottom a row of guide-channels, an elastic regulating-ring, secured to the top of the turbine so that the outside of the ring forms the continuation of the bottom of the grooves of the turbine, the said ring being divided into elastic segments, each of which is fixed to the turbine so as to form two unequal wings, a stopping device adjustable by hand, so as to vary the free length of the said wings and consequently their flexibility, and a top ring surrounding and covering the regulating-ring, so

as to conduct the water from the turbine to the outside of the regulating-ring, and to allow the segments to bend both inward and outward, substantially as described.

3. `In a turbine water-meter, the combination of a turbine W having inclined circumferential grooves h, with a turbine-casing R having in the bottom a row of guide-channels g, an elastic regulating-ring composed of elastic segments f, a regulating device Z adapted to vary the free length of the said wings f, and a top ring J surrounding and covering the regulating-ring, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OTTO BRAUN. Witnesses:

CARL SCHMITT, GUsTAv SINNHOLD.

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